Bedbugs: How Dangerous Can They Be?

Bedbug infestations have been on the rise since the 1990s, becoming a major problem today.

The relatively sturdy and nature of these tiny insects make them resilient. The bedbugs, known scientifically as Cimex lectularius, can adapt very easily and live in almost all-weather conditions. For getting rid of bedbugs from your residential or commercial are, it is necessary to learn a bit more about them.

Signs of A Bed Bug Infestation

One of the main problems in locating bed bugs is due to the fact that they are very small in size- the large adults growing to a length of 4-5 mm. The miniature nymphs(immature bed bugs) are even smaller- to a size where it is difficult to see with the naked eye. The grown ones are reddish-brown in color while the nymphs are white or tannish in color.

This extremely small size works to their advantage- allowing them to feed blood of a host for a few hours before hiding nearby- between the folds of the bed or mattresses.

Professional pest removal experts do know how to looks for signs indicating the infestation of the bedbugs and take steps accordingly. Here are a few:

  • Bedbugs leave skin sheddings within the folds. Both nymphs and adults do this-so keep a lookout for translucent/semi-reddish shells within a clutter.
  • Rusty spots in walls, bedsheets, and mattresses often bed bug excrements.
  • Bloodstains are often found in your bedsheets, night-clothes or pillowcases.

Complications From Bedbugs

Bedbugs are primarily parasites like mosquitoes, ticks, and leeches- sucking the blood off from a host organism for their own nutrition. The bites result in a sharp stinging pain followed by severe itching. They are nocturnal creatures and can feed off a human body for a few hours before going to hide for 5-10 days. It has been reported that bedbugs bites may be the cause of severe anemia and iron deficiency. Bed bugs are also reported to be vectors of several drug-resistant bacteria, as reported in the diagnosis of three patients from Vancouver’s Downtown Eastside.

These bacteria may cause gastrointestinal diseases, staph infections and several more dangerous diseases. Along with triatomine bugs, the general bed-bugs are also reported carriers of Trypanosoma cruzi- the agent for Chagas disease. There have been over 40 pathogens detected in bedbugs according to a 2012 report from the American Society for Microbiology.

Bedbug Extermination

The sudden rise in the population of bedbugs from the 1990s  may have been due to the transfer of the same through traveling luggage etc. The normal clean and dry wash of the blankets and bedsheets do not work as the bed bugs are much more agile than that. It is suggested to subject the affected material to a heat treatment of at least 120 degrees Fahrenheit in order to kill the bedbugs.

You may discard all the items in the room possibly infested with bedbugs and keep in quarantined. Though pesticides are available- the better way is to engage the services of a professional exterminator as the pesticides may be transferred from the bedbug to another host organism as well. Professional extermination services use cleaning techniques like fumigation which are not possible by DIY methods.

Do not wait – hire our bed bugs removal services today.

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